Why Do a Low Percentage of Drug Abusers Find Treatment?

19.9 million adults needed substance abuse treatment in 2016 [1]. Of that 19.9 million, only 2.1 million received it [1]. That means, 17.7 million adults in the United States need help to overcome their addiction and did not find treatment. So, why didn’t these drug abusers find treatment?

Something is wrong

There are widespread issues regarding treatment availability in the mental health community. Of the 44.7 million adults diagnosed with mental illness in 2016, only 19.2 million received mental health services [1].

Sadly, it does not look like it will be changing anytime soon.

So, what is getting in the way?

Insurance Coverage to Find Treatment

Treatment cost is a crucial barrier that few overcome.

The same study cited above found that, of those who wanted to receive substance abuse treatment, 26.9% said they did not because it wasn’t covered by their insurance and/or they couldn’t afford the cost/remainder [1].

As one article points out, “when people cannot access effective treatment, it can lead to disability, premature death, and a range of other costly health and social consequences [2].”

Proper coverage of addictions treatment results in lives saved but is also more positive and cost-effective for the US, “reduc(ing) health-care costs and decreas(ing) drug-related crimes [2].”

Access

Another top reason individuals do not receive necessary treatment is due to lack of centers and programs in their area [1].

Treatment centers that use effective, evidence-based treatment strategies need money to do. With the large volume of substance abusers in the US, there is not enough funding to open and run treatment centers in all areas that need them.

Aside from this geographical barrier, studies also find that treatment centers are often under-staffed, resulting in high wait-times and issues with the first contact via phone call in 30% of cases reviewed [3].

The moment a substance abuser chooses to reach out for support is crucial and the more barriers that appear at that moment can increase helplessness and despair, decreasing the likelihood that they will follow through in attempting treatment.

Stigma

Even with the problem of addiction touching more lives than ever, there is a stigma attached to being a substance abuser.

Individuals with substance abuse problems are often looked upon negatively, with society mainly judging them to be unintelligent, morally deficient, and lazy.

Stigmatizing substance abusers has caused nothing but harm, with individuals afraid to even admit they have a problem for fear of judgment or dismissal.

Seeking-out and engaging in treatment is a long-shot if individuals don’t even feel safe opening up about their struggle.

Further, all of the issues above stem from this stigma.

People don’t care about the problem because it is seen as something someone did to themselves. Politicians don’t create legislation to fight the problem of addiction because constituents aren’t demanding it.

Insurance companies won’t or can’t fund proper treatment due to lack of funding. Treatment centers are never opened, have to close, or don’t have adequate staff and programs because there is no funding.

This is why and how we talk about substance abuse is crucial. It needs to be spoken about in a way that reveals the truth: that it is a mental illness.

The face of addiction is not the stigma attached to it.

Showing the true, beautiful, unique, irreplaceable, troubled face of addiction helps people to fear it less and understand it more.

Timberline Knolls is a leading residential treatment center for women and adolescent girls, ages 12 and older, with eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, mood and co-occurring disorders. Located in suburban Chicago, residents receive excellent clinical care from a highly trained professional staff on a picturesque 43-acre wooded campus. An adult partial hospitalization program (PHP) is also available in nearby Orland Park, Ill., for women to step down or direct admit. For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, call 630-755-5173. We are also on Facebook – Timberline Knolls, LinkedIn – Timberline Knolls and Twitter – @TimberlineToday.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Published on February 27, 2018. Reviewed by Jacquelyn Ekern MS, LPC @ May 15, 2019Published on AddictionHope.com

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About Baxter Ekern

Baxter Ekern is the Vice President of Ekern Enterprises, Inc. He contributed and helped write a major portion of Addiction Hope and is responsible for the operations of the website.

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